With no sentiment, Kariya has learned Mugen's style and says, "Show movements that completely contradict expectations. But in martial arts you should use your head more. If you use only you instinct and reflexes, you are limited." Perturbed, Mugen makes a desperate attempt. But, he is no match for Kariya's grace and reservation. Off balance, Kariya nudges Mugen into the water with no effort.

Next, Kariya turns his attention towards Jin. He asks to see Mujushin kenjutsu, the skill that killed Mariya Enshirou. Jin is amazed at Kariya's knowledge, but figures it out. Kariya is working for the Kougi (the shogunate).

In the dying fields of Sunflowers, Fuu runs for dear life from the eye patched leader. He sends a warning to her with scythe, which blazes past her. Fuu stops and falls to her knees. He catches upto her and proceeds to get a feel for her. She clinches her komono and turns away from him. As he pulls her closer, he gives her a swift punch to the chest and knocks her out.

Jin and Kariya continue their fight on the pier. Kariya shows off his incredible ki to create gusts of water and destroy the the pier pillars. His energy cracks Jins glasses. Mugen climbs from the water, but Kariya still toys with him. He focuses his talents on Jin and they clash weapons. In the mayhem, Mugen is again cast aside and knocked to the broken barrels.

On the roof tops, the troll watches the battle below and laughs at Mugen's failed attempts. He tells Mugen they've got the girl. He should come to the island church if he ever wants to see her again. Mugen exclaims, "Dont mess with me!" But, Jin says, "Go." He'll finish the battle with Kariya. He remembers his talk with Fuu the night before, and tells Mugen to take care of her.

The wind blows, and Kariya sits with Zen like patience as he awaits for his next opponent. Mugen knows what he must do and runs to the nearest boat. He yells to Jin that they still have to finish their fight. The boat pushes off and heads to the island. Jin watches as he sails off.

Kariya stands and says we can now finish. Jin asks how Kariya knew he was from the mujuu dojo. Kariya replies, "If you hadn't killed Mariya, mujuu would have been mine." Jin realizes this is Kariya Kagetoki.

Jin remembers his youth in the mujuu dojo. He approaches Mariya who is going to turn the mujushin kenjutsu into a school for assassins. Mariya says there is no other path. To work for Kariya is to work for the shogun. This would erase the martial arts which Mujushin kenjutsu teaches. Mariya says there is no longer the need to sword fight in the peaceful era. But, Jin cant endure it.

In the garden, Mariya confronts Kariya, who has asked him to kill Jin. Mariya pleads that Jin was to be his successor in the dojo. Kariya remains silent and only clips a flowerhead. Mariya stares on.

As Jin sleeps in the dojo, a figure walks in the shadows. Jin leaps up and reaches for his swords. In an instant, Jin kills his would-be assassin to find that it's...his Master. Mariya says, "you've gotten better, Jin" and crumbles to the ground.

Kariya says it's Jin's destiny to be killed by him. Jin is obliged and says he would like to see this "Hand of God." Honored, Kariya says he has been bored for a long time.

Heading to the island, the troll decides to rock the boat. He pulls the owner from the boat and climbs above the ship. He says he was told not to touch Mugen until he reached the church, but he has a burning passion to kill him. Fighting temptation, he loses all restraints and lounges towards Mugen.

Kariya and Jin stand on the pier facing one another. Jin asks why Kariya is reducing himself to work for the shogunate? The lords are figures who only value prestige and themselves. It's not worth giving your life towards. Kariya tells Jin that, today, no one can get by with the skill of their own sword, and it's he who is using the shogunate. The age of the samurai will soon be over. It is a shame that they were born in the wrong era.

Mugen and the troll battle on the open seas. The troll cuts Mugens face with his claw. He taunts Mugen by telling him his technique isn't useful in the confinements of the boat. Mugen is able to land a kick on the troll. However, this tips the boat, and they both crash in the water.

Meanwhile, Kariya and Jin wage a war on the pier. Both of them strike with lightning quick movements, but only Kariya is able to land attacks. He then drags the glasses from Jin's eyes, and halts. He says this is the first he's had fun in awhile. This duel will end by a small margin, but he has the upper hand. Jin now weighs his options. Kariya has surprising speed and leaves no openings. One move will decide it all. Kariya draws near and they both strike at one another.

In the water, Mugen dances around the troll to get off the defensive. In a final move, Mugen allows the troll to pierce his hand. This allows him to pull the troll near and give him a stabbing blow. Blood spreads to water and Mugen makes his way to shore.

Fuu is young, again. She chases the Sunflower Samurai through the fields and a voice is heard. "A samurai who smells like sunflowers? Sunflowers don't have a scent. Doesn't that mean there's no such samurai?" The fields wither and the figure she's chasing changes. The man turns to look upon her, and it is Kariya.

Fuu wakes from her dream tied to a cross in a broken down church. The leader says that soon she can die with no regrets. Fuu says his ploy is useless, because Mugen doesn't care for hostages. It's all the same to the leader, who proceeds to smack her around until she's half alive. From the entrance, Mugen appears. Fuu is shocked. Mugen tells the leader to let her go. The leader turns and is pleased to view Mugen.

Mugen admits to not knowing who he is, and this upsets the leader. Eventhough, Mugen forgot, he and his brothers will never forget what Mugen did to them. The three brothers were part of the Satsuma clan. They were in charge of the first ship which Mugen and Mukuro attacked while fleeing from Ryukyu. It is because of them that his brother is a paraplegic and confined to the wheel chair. They had to take responsibility for the ship and were chased from the clan. No longer could they become government officers. Their only motivation is to kill Mugen.

Mugen tells the leader that he killed his troll brother in the ocean. The leader erupts and hangs his scythe around Fuu's neck. Mugen says he will lay down his sword for Fuu to go free. Then, he chucks the sword at the bindings, which are holding Fuu. She gets set free. Mugen tells her to find the Sunflower Samurai. She cant go, but Mugen asks her why they came this far? It was for her. Mugen reassures her that he wont die and tells her to go.

The leader chirps in at the amusement of Mugen throwing his life away for a girl. He binds the chains around Mugen and says, "You will die slowly." He slings Mugen around and slashes at him with the scythe. Mugen cant do much but take it.

Still weak, Fuu uses every ounce of energy to head to the North cape. Meanwhile, Kariya is heading to the island. It was Jin who got injured in the final duel and fell from the pier. She reaches the decrepit cabin and slowly catches her breath. A withered sunflower lies on the ground.

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